"We need some cover here!"
The fatigued men huddled together under the makeshift bunker, an overturned tanker truck that still reeked of quickly evaporating gasoline.
"No shots, no fire, or we're all going up. We'll just have to hope that James can get the chopper working before those tings get too close. the gas should hide our scents, but not our trail. One of us needs to go out there and lure them away."
A suicide mission, and they all knew it. The six of them had survived this long by sticking together, but they'd seen friends go, and they weren't in any real shape to continue. The constant running had taken it's toll and they barely had the strength to walk anymore.
"We've got one does of the serum left. it should give whoever's running enough strength to get them at least a mile away from here. Hopefully by that time, the rain will have started and our trail will be covered."
Samuel, the youngest of them, knelt down and began to pray.
"Savior, let not those who have cause to harm us find the seclusion we have discovered, and let not the fumes overtake those too weak to move. Let the serum guide our strongest into safety and lead the aggressors to a land of their destruction."
It was a hasty prayer, but one they were grateful to hear-unlike the loud howl that marked the arrival of the beasts they'd avoided for so long.
"They're here. we don't have any time left."
Jacob grabbed the vial of serum and jammed the needle end into his arm, his face contorting in pain as the fluid coursed through his veins. He let out a soft grunt as his muscles formed and changed, extending his legs and arms, as fur started to cover the rest of his body. His nose and jaw extended, lengthening into a long muzzle as his eyes took on a more feral appearance. A shaggy gray tail the same color as his fur sprouted from the base of his back and he growled a low rumbling growl as the rest of his body adjusted to his new form and purpose. he shook, shaking off the remnants of clothing that had tattered themselves during his transformation. With one last longing look back at the men he'd grown to know so well, he turned and darted into the street, heading for the area where he'd heard the dire howls originate.
The others shuddered as they watched their friend turn and run, knowing the pain of the experience, especially now, when the moon was nowhere near full. They saw the tinge of fear in jacob's face as he looked back at them, knowing full well they'd never see him again.
He would be remembered, though, by the few who were left, as the one that lead, the one that saved their race from the End times. He was a legend, a legend born out of the worst kind of despair, and to these men, a savior. They knew not what the future would hold for them after today, but they at least knew they would have one.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Mixing
"try that, the red one"
Alex cringed as once again his mother stood over his shoulder, pointing out the faults with his newest project. The painting was coming along well, or so he though. He wasn't great yet, just a beginner, really, but he'd sold a few paintings and drawings so far, and thought that he might have a career at it if only he could get out of this house.
"You shouldn't be mixing those two colors..they clash."
"THAT'S THE POINT" Alex's head screamed at him in frustration, and he tried to block out the incessant nagging of his overbearing mother. He wished she'd just go away.
The doorbell rang about fifteen minutes later, much to the beleaguered boy's relief. Finally, he could get things done. He'd done as little as he could while she was in his studio so he wouldn't have to do much damage control. A few splashes of paint later and he was right back on track. his new piece was a work of art from concept. The unbridled love between all types humans can express, and in the center, the heartache of that love's destruction. It would be his first masterpiece. he was excited, and that excitement manifested in frantic energy. He worked, and painted, and fumed angry at his lack of inspiration, and found that inspiration in banal things, before finally looking at the canvas, and realizing that perhaps his reach exceeded his grasp. but no, he couldn't stop. he'd poured too much of himself into this and couldn't stop now. he was so close, so close.
His mother came in on him, his room stinking of effort.
"It's been five days, Alex, and i don't see anything you've done. now put the brush down and go take a shower. You stink"
Alex ignored her, putting touches here and there, and mumbling in his sleep-deprived mind.
"No, not that, not yet..here? maybe."
"ALEX! you listen to me right now!"
His mother reached out, and grabbed at his hand, her fingers finding his paint brush instead. She smirked and wrenched it from his hand, causing the crazed teen to look at her with a mad frenzy, and in a near overwhelming rage lunge for it. His mother laughed sadistically and held it out of his grasp, backing out of the room.
"You can have it back after you take a shower and clean this place up., Now do what i say."
Alex slumped his shoulders, feeling defeated, for just a second, before grabbing a nearby pallet and slamming it against his mother's scalp causing the woman to shriek and fall to the floor. Again and again, he brought the pallet down onto her, smashing her face, and head, silencing her cries and her disdain, her criticism for goo, until nothing but a bloody pulp remained on the floor of his studio. Blood spattered all over the walls and empty canvases. not even his masterpiece was spared, and he turned to it after picking his paint brush up out of his mothers cooling hand.
He stared blankly at the blood flowing through the paint, smearing the work he'd been so fervent about getting just right, and his hand released the brush.
"perfect.." he said, in a low, whispered tone.
Alex cringed as once again his mother stood over his shoulder, pointing out the faults with his newest project. The painting was coming along well, or so he though. He wasn't great yet, just a beginner, really, but he'd sold a few paintings and drawings so far, and thought that he might have a career at it if only he could get out of this house.
"You shouldn't be mixing those two colors..they clash."
"THAT'S THE POINT" Alex's head screamed at him in frustration, and he tried to block out the incessant nagging of his overbearing mother. He wished she'd just go away.
The doorbell rang about fifteen minutes later, much to the beleaguered boy's relief. Finally, he could get things done. He'd done as little as he could while she was in his studio so he wouldn't have to do much damage control. A few splashes of paint later and he was right back on track. his new piece was a work of art from concept. The unbridled love between all types humans can express, and in the center, the heartache of that love's destruction. It would be his first masterpiece. he was excited, and that excitement manifested in frantic energy. He worked, and painted, and fumed angry at his lack of inspiration, and found that inspiration in banal things, before finally looking at the canvas, and realizing that perhaps his reach exceeded his grasp. but no, he couldn't stop. he'd poured too much of himself into this and couldn't stop now. he was so close, so close.
His mother came in on him, his room stinking of effort.
"It's been five days, Alex, and i don't see anything you've done. now put the brush down and go take a shower. You stink"
Alex ignored her, putting touches here and there, and mumbling in his sleep-deprived mind.
"No, not that, not yet..here? maybe."
"ALEX! you listen to me right now!"
His mother reached out, and grabbed at his hand, her fingers finding his paint brush instead. She smirked and wrenched it from his hand, causing the crazed teen to look at her with a mad frenzy, and in a near overwhelming rage lunge for it. His mother laughed sadistically and held it out of his grasp, backing out of the room.
"You can have it back after you take a shower and clean this place up., Now do what i say."
Alex slumped his shoulders, feeling defeated, for just a second, before grabbing a nearby pallet and slamming it against his mother's scalp causing the woman to shriek and fall to the floor. Again and again, he brought the pallet down onto her, smashing her face, and head, silencing her cries and her disdain, her criticism for goo, until nothing but a bloody pulp remained on the floor of his studio. Blood spattered all over the walls and empty canvases. not even his masterpiece was spared, and he turned to it after picking his paint brush up out of his mothers cooling hand.
He stared blankly at the blood flowing through the paint, smearing the work he'd been so fervent about getting just right, and his hand released the brush.
"perfect.." he said, in a low, whispered tone.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Paradise
I could think of nothing better than to be with her. She was the grace and charm of the world to me and I couldn't believe that I'd been so blessed to find such a person.
I'd known her since the first week of college, and we'd never really spoken until nearly a year in. She was studying English-i learned that from a mutual friend, along with her name-Rita.
I asked a lot of questions and mary (our mutual friend) laughed at me and said that I should go talk to her.
It still took me several weeks to build up the courage to speak to this raven haired goddess, this slice of absolute paradise given form. She had everything that i wanted. She wasn't tall, but was tall enough, and her eyes were bright, and brown and whenever i looked at them i saw what i wanted for the rest of my life. her hair was short, cut into a cute pixie style, and her body, well, a polite man doesn't describe the thoughts out loud. But, I never truly looked at her with a lustful or lecherous desire, more of an admiration, for never had one so fully captivated my mind.
She also wore glasses, which was a big bonus for me. Her skin was a dark sienna, and smooth as the voice that slithered it's way out of her perfect lips.
She was sitting there, reading a book of philosophy and tapping a pencil against her teeth thoughtfully when i finally walked up to her. I sat across from her, and she looked up, causing her hair to playfully brush against her cheek. She looked quizzically at me and I smiled nervously.
"hello, Rita. How're things?"
her face remained unchanged as she put her book onto the table and took a sip of her tea. i could smell the spice in it as it mixed gently with her perfume which i could not place. I wish i wasn't so nervous and hoped she didn't notice, though i knew her to be very perceptive, so there wasn little chance of that. I nearly bolted, until she said, in that sultry, sensual voice.
"I wondered what was taking you so long to talk to me."
We started a hesitant conversation. She was all that i wasn't. She knew her life plan, her goals and dreams, and was doing everything it took to get to them, while i was just sort of cruising, waiting for that big break to come along, though, i knew in my heart that it would never drop into my lap. Then again, i didn't think she would either. I asked her out to coffee, and she said to make it tea, so we did. there was a little English restaurant a few blocks down and it was a nice day so we walked in the warm summer sun. I tried not to take too many furtive glances at her, but she noticed a few times and i turned my head quickly, which she seemed to think was cute.
I'd known her since the first week of college, and we'd never really spoken until nearly a year in. She was studying English-i learned that from a mutual friend, along with her name-Rita.
I asked a lot of questions and mary (our mutual friend) laughed at me and said that I should go talk to her.
It still took me several weeks to build up the courage to speak to this raven haired goddess, this slice of absolute paradise given form. She had everything that i wanted. She wasn't tall, but was tall enough, and her eyes were bright, and brown and whenever i looked at them i saw what i wanted for the rest of my life. her hair was short, cut into a cute pixie style, and her body, well, a polite man doesn't describe the thoughts out loud. But, I never truly looked at her with a lustful or lecherous desire, more of an admiration, for never had one so fully captivated my mind.
She also wore glasses, which was a big bonus for me. Her skin was a dark sienna, and smooth as the voice that slithered it's way out of her perfect lips.
She was sitting there, reading a book of philosophy and tapping a pencil against her teeth thoughtfully when i finally walked up to her. I sat across from her, and she looked up, causing her hair to playfully brush against her cheek. She looked quizzically at me and I smiled nervously.
"hello, Rita. How're things?"
her face remained unchanged as she put her book onto the table and took a sip of her tea. i could smell the spice in it as it mixed gently with her perfume which i could not place. I wish i wasn't so nervous and hoped she didn't notice, though i knew her to be very perceptive, so there wasn little chance of that. I nearly bolted, until she said, in that sultry, sensual voice.
"I wondered what was taking you so long to talk to me."
We started a hesitant conversation. She was all that i wasn't. She knew her life plan, her goals and dreams, and was doing everything it took to get to them, while i was just sort of cruising, waiting for that big break to come along, though, i knew in my heart that it would never drop into my lap. Then again, i didn't think she would either. I asked her out to coffee, and she said to make it tea, so we did. there was a little English restaurant a few blocks down and it was a nice day so we walked in the warm summer sun. I tried not to take too many furtive glances at her, but she noticed a few times and i turned my head quickly, which she seemed to think was cute.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Peculiar
"We're getting some strange readings from the probe, Captain. The scale's all over the place, and the energy fluxuations are not synching with any known signals we've received before"
Captain Johanson templed his fingers and looked ahead as the starscape rushed around the ship.
"Check them again. it may just be a system error."
No, the cargo was too precious to have anything peculiar happen now. The mission was the important thing. His crew was already nervous, being in an unexplored region of space, and this was making them all antsy. the ship was silent save the low hum of the computers and the whirr of the engines as they waited for the results.
"The same, Captain. I can't seem to get the meters recalibrated. I'm not getting any signs of interference though. it's like the computers just decided to kick things around randomly. I can't get a clear anything out of it."
This did little to strengthen morale.
"I can run them again, sir..." Ensign Barith offered, but the captain's distant stare answered for him.
"So, we're stuck out here, going full bore with no computers and no way of figuring out what's going on."
"Well, no sir. Only the scanning computer is offline. All the other systems seem to be working normally. We can stop any time, or slow down. i would advise doing this, at least till we figure out what's up with the Scanners."
Johanson nodded and the necessary commands were put in. the ship creaked and groaned for a moment,the strain of deceleration pulling at the metal of the travel-weary ship.
"Can we get a screen up, have a look around? make sure we weren't followed?"
"We'll do what we can, sir."
The technician nervously fiddled with the computers, and the large viewscreen slowly brightened into a fuzzy image. He eased forward a bit, and smacked the side with his fist, and the picture cleared. Surrnding the ship seemed to be hundreds of tiny objects, greens and browns and oranges, all ring-shaped disks that reflected the ambient light into various hues.
"So, what am I looking at?"
"Well, sir, as you know, this is an uncharted area, so we're not quite sure."
The disks were still. There was, as far as they could determine without instruments, totally immobile.
"Shall I take the probe out for a sample? They could prove useful or at least interesting while we wait to get the sensors back."
Captain Johanson stood up and walked to the screen.
"Do you see that?"
"What, sir?"
"Zoom in on that disk there."
The technician magnified the image. Sure enough, there were small scratches on one of the objects.
"Bring it in a little more, please."
The tech once again rotated the lens and focused on the scratches.
The captain's face went ghost white, and he hurried back to his chair. he barked orderes in a hoarse tone, as if his breath was strangled within his throat.
"We have to get out of here. NOW."
Captain Johanson templed his fingers and looked ahead as the starscape rushed around the ship.
"Check them again. it may just be a system error."
No, the cargo was too precious to have anything peculiar happen now. The mission was the important thing. His crew was already nervous, being in an unexplored region of space, and this was making them all antsy. the ship was silent save the low hum of the computers and the whirr of the engines as they waited for the results.
"The same, Captain. I can't seem to get the meters recalibrated. I'm not getting any signs of interference though. it's like the computers just decided to kick things around randomly. I can't get a clear anything out of it."
This did little to strengthen morale.
"I can run them again, sir..." Ensign Barith offered, but the captain's distant stare answered for him.
"So, we're stuck out here, going full bore with no computers and no way of figuring out what's going on."
"Well, no sir. Only the scanning computer is offline. All the other systems seem to be working normally. We can stop any time, or slow down. i would advise doing this, at least till we figure out what's up with the Scanners."
Johanson nodded and the necessary commands were put in. the ship creaked and groaned for a moment,the strain of deceleration pulling at the metal of the travel-weary ship.
"Can we get a screen up, have a look around? make sure we weren't followed?"
"We'll do what we can, sir."
The technician nervously fiddled with the computers, and the large viewscreen slowly brightened into a fuzzy image. He eased forward a bit, and smacked the side with his fist, and the picture cleared. Surrnding the ship seemed to be hundreds of tiny objects, greens and browns and oranges, all ring-shaped disks that reflected the ambient light into various hues.
"So, what am I looking at?"
"Well, sir, as you know, this is an uncharted area, so we're not quite sure."
The disks were still. There was, as far as they could determine without instruments, totally immobile.
"Shall I take the probe out for a sample? They could prove useful or at least interesting while we wait to get the sensors back."
Captain Johanson stood up and walked to the screen.
"Do you see that?"
"What, sir?"
"Zoom in on that disk there."
The technician magnified the image. Sure enough, there were small scratches on one of the objects.
"Bring it in a little more, please."
The tech once again rotated the lens and focused on the scratches.
The captain's face went ghost white, and he hurried back to his chair. he barked orderes in a hoarse tone, as if his breath was strangled within his throat.
"We have to get out of here. NOW."
Insulated
"...and the thin lining of fur keeps the whole jacket insulated!"
Anna looked over the boxes and bags containing her day's purchases and sighed. She really wanted this new jacket, but did she really want to have yet another bag to haul around? It WAS midsummer, and she really wouldn't need it until the fall at the earliest, but it was so cute, and on sale. She resigned herself, and nodded
"I'll take that one too."
The saleswoman happily took it to the register where it joined the rest of the shop's inhabitants that would be going home with Anna that day. After running the package-laden woman's well-used card, she helped her to find a spare finger on which to put the bag, then walked her to the store exit, babbling on about how it was always a pleasure to see her, and hopefully she'd be back very soon. Anna waved as best she could and made her way out of the mall, to the parking deck where her brand new sedan waited for her patiently. She stuffed it full of the booty from today's outing and got in, checking her professionally-done makeup before starting up and going home.
The bags and boxes joined the rest strewn about on her floor from previous shopping pillages and she slumped into her favorite chair, a gaudy gold affair from an estate sale two months ago. Indeed, her entire house had been recently furnished with nothing but the best pieces from all over the world. Her traveling had left her exhausted, and she was glad that her last week was spent just being at home.
restless again, she got up in a few minutes and ran herself a bath, nice and hot with bath beads and scented oils. She lit a few candles and disrobed, sinking into the near scalding, but very relaxing, water, and closed her eyes. the weight of the world faded away in the steam rising from it, and she was at last able to let go of her tension.
As she luxuriated in the tub's shallow depths, flashes of her past had started entering her mind. this always happened when she let her defenses down. Strange, unnatural feelings started creeping into her thoughts and she cringed. This was her world now, this life, these things. Not that cold, dark place she'd once found herself in. No, since she'd come here, things were different. She was actually happy, enjoying herself for once in her life. This infusion of life was just what she needed after too long being alone and afraid. She was safe here, secure, buffered from the rest of the world by the new life she'd made in so short a time. She let herself smile, a genuine, happy and tranquil gesture. This, yes, this was the life.
Her entire world was brought down in one swift instant, with the splintering of wood crashing into the bathroom, making her sit up with a start, only to see a leather-clad man, decked out in various totems and trinkets and pointing a rather impressive firearm in her direction. He turned his head and spat on the floor, before looking her in the eye with an evil grin on his face.
"Time to die, monster."
Anna looked over the boxes and bags containing her day's purchases and sighed. She really wanted this new jacket, but did she really want to have yet another bag to haul around? It WAS midsummer, and she really wouldn't need it until the fall at the earliest, but it was so cute, and on sale. She resigned herself, and nodded
"I'll take that one too."
The saleswoman happily took it to the register where it joined the rest of the shop's inhabitants that would be going home with Anna that day. After running the package-laden woman's well-used card, she helped her to find a spare finger on which to put the bag, then walked her to the store exit, babbling on about how it was always a pleasure to see her, and hopefully she'd be back very soon. Anna waved as best she could and made her way out of the mall, to the parking deck where her brand new sedan waited for her patiently. She stuffed it full of the booty from today's outing and got in, checking her professionally-done makeup before starting up and going home.
The bags and boxes joined the rest strewn about on her floor from previous shopping pillages and she slumped into her favorite chair, a gaudy gold affair from an estate sale two months ago. Indeed, her entire house had been recently furnished with nothing but the best pieces from all over the world. Her traveling had left her exhausted, and she was glad that her last week was spent just being at home.
restless again, she got up in a few minutes and ran herself a bath, nice and hot with bath beads and scented oils. She lit a few candles and disrobed, sinking into the near scalding, but very relaxing, water, and closed her eyes. the weight of the world faded away in the steam rising from it, and she was at last able to let go of her tension.
As she luxuriated in the tub's shallow depths, flashes of her past had started entering her mind. this always happened when she let her defenses down. Strange, unnatural feelings started creeping into her thoughts and she cringed. This was her world now, this life, these things. Not that cold, dark place she'd once found herself in. No, since she'd come here, things were different. She was actually happy, enjoying herself for once in her life. This infusion of life was just what she needed after too long being alone and afraid. She was safe here, secure, buffered from the rest of the world by the new life she'd made in so short a time. She let herself smile, a genuine, happy and tranquil gesture. This, yes, this was the life.
Her entire world was brought down in one swift instant, with the splintering of wood crashing into the bathroom, making her sit up with a start, only to see a leather-clad man, decked out in various totems and trinkets and pointing a rather impressive firearm in her direction. He turned his head and spat on the floor, before looking her in the eye with an evil grin on his face.
"Time to die, monster."
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Skip
Jacob felt that old familiar tug as he stood atop the cliff, looking down into the clean, cool waters. He wanted to jump, to just feel that rush as the water flowed, engulfing him in it's soothing embrace. Every year, he made the pilgrimage here, and every year, he'd forced himself to jump.
Jacob wasn't getting any younger, and his hair was already thinning. At thirty-nine, he was quickly approaching the age where he'd have to discard his childish things and finally think about settling down. He'd never been one to plan too far ahead, living in the moment-Except for this. Each year, one week before his birthday, he'd make his way down here, and learn once again what real living is.
The cares of his regular life seemed to fade away as the sea air brushed lovingly against his skin. This was what things were really about. the just pure freedom, that lack of anything but the ocean. No cars, no meetings, no have-to-be-theres...just the calm rush of the waters lapping longingly at the bottom. He sighed and closed his eyes, taking it all in. He took the time here to just reflect on the past year, of everything that he'd done or not done, chances taken, silly luck and heart wrenching tragedies. Thankfully, this year had been uneventful. no changes in job, no real improvements in his love life or goals, but, no setbacks either. No, it was a pretty average year. He found peace in this, but had that little gnawing sensation in the back of his mind that he was missing out. He'd had opportunities to do things, to really live, but he'd chosen to skip them or just shied away from the chances altogether. Those were the nagging sensations that always gripped him, even in this, his most tranquil day in this most pristine location. He tried to shake them from his mind, to just enjoy the moment, but they'd already sunk their claws in, and soon his mind reeled of all the things he had just given up out of routine. "No, that's okay, I'll go next time"s and "We'll get together later"s. that permeated his life, in more ways than he'd ever realized.
Jacob opened his eyes again and sat , dangling his feet over the edge. the breeze was still playful and tickled the bottom of his feet.He took a few breaths and tried to clear his mind again. Why were things bothering him today so badly? he'd never had a single thought up here except for pure freedom. Maybe the time had finally gotten to him, and the simple momentary reflection had brought the wave crashing back of all the things in his life left undone.
There were just a few hours left of daylight. Jacob had been sitting on the edge for nearly half the day, just staring into the ocean and sky, wondering where he was going. This place held no more peace for him. He'd ruined the one place he'd ever felt that things would never be complicated. the cliff wasn't a symbol of his pent up exuberance anymore, the one place he'd really just let himself go. Now, it was his regret. the waters no longer soothing, but tendrils reaching for him to pull him into the darkness.
As the sun set, Jacob gathered his things and headed home, wondering what exactly the next day would hold.
Jacob wasn't getting any younger, and his hair was already thinning. At thirty-nine, he was quickly approaching the age where he'd have to discard his childish things and finally think about settling down. He'd never been one to plan too far ahead, living in the moment-Except for this. Each year, one week before his birthday, he'd make his way down here, and learn once again what real living is.
The cares of his regular life seemed to fade away as the sea air brushed lovingly against his skin. This was what things were really about. the just pure freedom, that lack of anything but the ocean. No cars, no meetings, no have-to-be-theres...just the calm rush of the waters lapping longingly at the bottom. He sighed and closed his eyes, taking it all in. He took the time here to just reflect on the past year, of everything that he'd done or not done, chances taken, silly luck and heart wrenching tragedies. Thankfully, this year had been uneventful. no changes in job, no real improvements in his love life or goals, but, no setbacks either. No, it was a pretty average year. He found peace in this, but had that little gnawing sensation in the back of his mind that he was missing out. He'd had opportunities to do things, to really live, but he'd chosen to skip them or just shied away from the chances altogether. Those were the nagging sensations that always gripped him, even in this, his most tranquil day in this most pristine location. He tried to shake them from his mind, to just enjoy the moment, but they'd already sunk their claws in, and soon his mind reeled of all the things he had just given up out of routine. "No, that's okay, I'll go next time"s and "We'll get together later"s. that permeated his life, in more ways than he'd ever realized.
Jacob opened his eyes again and sat , dangling his feet over the edge. the breeze was still playful and tickled the bottom of his feet.He took a few breaths and tried to clear his mind again. Why were things bothering him today so badly? he'd never had a single thought up here except for pure freedom. Maybe the time had finally gotten to him, and the simple momentary reflection had brought the wave crashing back of all the things in his life left undone.
There were just a few hours left of daylight. Jacob had been sitting on the edge for nearly half the day, just staring into the ocean and sky, wondering where he was going. This place held no more peace for him. He'd ruined the one place he'd ever felt that things would never be complicated. the cliff wasn't a symbol of his pent up exuberance anymore, the one place he'd really just let himself go. Now, it was his regret. the waters no longer soothing, but tendrils reaching for him to pull him into the darkness.
As the sun set, Jacob gathered his things and headed home, wondering what exactly the next day would hold.
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